US20230339325A1 - Control knob for a motor vehicle - Google Patents
Control knob for a motor vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20230339325A1 US20230339325A1 US18/302,047 US202318302047A US2023339325A1 US 20230339325 A1 US20230339325 A1 US 20230339325A1 US 202318302047 A US202318302047 A US 202318302047A US 2023339325 A1 US2023339325 A1 US 2023339325A1
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- actuator
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- configuration
- knob
- Prior art date
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Links
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000035807 sensation Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005489 elastic deformation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
- G05G1/08—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
- G05G1/087—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels retractable; Flush control knobs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K35/00—Arrangement of adaptations of instruments
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
- B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
- B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
- B60H1/0065—Control members, e.g. levers or knobs
-
- B60K35/10—
-
- B60K35/212—
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G5/00—Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member
- G05G5/06—Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member for holding members in one or a limited number of definite positions only
-
- B60K2360/126—
-
- B60K2360/128—
-
- B60K2360/1434—
-
- B60K2360/695—
-
- B60K2360/774—
-
- B60K2360/96—
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K2370/00—Details of arrangements or adaptations of instruments specially adapted for vehicles, not covered by groups B60K35/00, B60K37/00
- B60K2370/10—Input devices or features thereof
- B60K2370/12—Input devices or input features
- B60K2370/126—Rotatable input devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K2370/00—Details of arrangements or adaptations of instruments specially adapted for vehicles, not covered by groups B60K35/00, B60K37/00
- B60K2370/10—Input devices or features thereof
- B60K2370/12—Input devices or input features
- B60K2370/143—Touch sensitive input devices
- B60K2370/1434—Touch panels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K2370/00—Details of arrangements or adaptations of instruments specially adapted for vehicles, not covered by groups B60K35/00, B60K37/00
- B60K2370/60—Structural details of dashboards or instruments
- B60K2370/68—Features of instruments
- B60K2370/695—Dial features
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60K2370/00—Details of arrangements or adaptations of instruments specially adapted for vehicles, not covered by groups B60K35/00, B60K37/00
- B60K2370/70—Arrangements of instruments in the vehicle
- B60K2370/77—Arrangements of instruments in the vehicle characterised by locations other than the dashboard
- B60K2370/774—Arrangements of instruments in the vehicle characterised by locations other than the dashboard on or in the centre console
-
- B60K35/60—
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/0224—Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
- B60N2/0226—User interfaces specially adapted for seat adjustment
- B60N2/0228—Hand-activated mechanical switches
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
- G05G1/08—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
- G05G1/10—Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a control knob for a motor vehicle.
- motor vehicles comprise:
- Typical examples of said systems are a control system of an air conditioning system for adjusting the cooling air flow rate and the temperature in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, or a system for adjusting the inflation pressure of the motor vehicle seats.
- the above systems can be systems that can be adjusted according to a closed-loop control logic, such as for example the above-mentioned air conditioning system.
- the system comprises an actuator controlled by the knob and a sensor that detects that the desired condition has been reached and controls the actuator in feedback.
- the above systems can be adjustable according to an open-loop control logic, such as for example the above-mentioned inflation system.
- the system is sensorless and the actuator is controlled by the knob without any feedback.
- Control knobs which substantially comprise a fixed support in relation to the passenger compartment and a rotor that can rotate around the fixed support so as to assume a plurality of angular positions corresponding to respective adjustment positions of the system.
- knobs control a single system that can be adjusted according to a closed-loop control logic or according to an open-loop control logic.
- JP-B-4709081 describes a well-known control knob for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 .
- the object of the present invention is to provide a control knob for a motor vehicle, which allows at least one of the above-mentioned requirements to be met.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a control knob made according to the present invention in an extracted position
- FIG. 2 is a top view of the knob in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a top view of a control interface of the motor vehicle comprising the knob in FIGS. 1 and 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a top view of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, within which the interface in FIG. 3 is installed;
- FIGS. 5 and 6 are front views of the knob in FIGS. 1 to 4 , in the retracted position of FIG. 4 and in the extracted position of FIG. 3 , respectively;
- FIG. 7 is a further enlarged scale section along the line VII-VII of FIG. 1 showing first components of the knob in FIGS. 1 to 6 ;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first components in FIG. 7 , with parts removed for clarity;
- FIG. 9 is a section along the line IX-IX of FIG. 2 showing second components of the knob in FIGS. 1 to 8 ;
- FIG. 10 is a section along the line X-X in FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 11 is a section along the line XI-XI in FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 12 is a particularly enlarged view of some details in FIG. 9 ;
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the control knob in FIGS. 1 to 12 on a greatly enlarged scale, with parts removed for clarity;
- FIG. 14 is a section along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 15 is a functional diagram of further components of the motor vehicle in FIG. 4 .
- the numeral 1 indicates a motor vehicle only showing a passenger compartment 2 and a plurality of seats 3 in the passenger compartment 2 .
- the motor vehicle 1 comprises, in particular:
- the motor vehicle 1 further comprises ( FIG. 15 ):
- Non-limiting examples of the systems 4 , 5 are an air conditioning system 4 designed to adjust the temperature inside the passenger compartment 2 and a system 5 designed to adjust the inflation pressure of the seats 3 .
- systems 4 , 5 are a system for controlling the temperature of the seats 3 , a system for activating an electro-chromic roof, or a system for controlling the massage function of the seats 3 .
- the motor vehicle 1 for each area 8 , 9 , comprises:
- the system 4 is a closed-loop control system, i.e., as is known, it comprises:
- the system 5 is an open-loop control system, i.e., as is known, it comprises a second actuator controlled by the interface 6 and not controlled in feedback mode.
- the interface 6 comprises ( FIG. 3 ):
- knob 16 comprises:
- knob 16 comprises:
- the springs 49 and the toothing 50 sequentially interact with one another, in a snapping manner, in a plurality of consecutive positions, when the actuator 30 is arranged in said first configuration, so as to provide said user with a first touch-related feedback formed by a sequence of snaps, each having a first stroke C1;
- the knob 16 further comprises:
- the pins 60 and the respective springs 61 and profiles 62 can rotate around the axis A integrally with each other and with the rotor 25 and the body 80 , when the actuator 30 is arranged in the first configuration;
- the pins 60 can slide on the respective profiles 62 so as to provide the user with a single touch-related feedback of the continuous type and according to a stroke C2, when the actuator 30 is arranged in the second configuration.
- the knob 16 further comprises:
- the assembly 27 can slide in relation to the casing 26 between:
- the knob 16 further comprises ( FIGS. 9 to 11 ):
- the activation of the area 32 b opens a menu 10 that allows the temperature within the area 8 , 9 to be adjusted.
- the activation of the area 32 c opens a menu 11 that allows the heating/cooling air flow rate within the area 8 , 9 to be adjusted.
- the activation of the area 32 d opens a menu 12 that allows the selection of different regions (top, middle, bottom) of the seat 3 whose inflation pressure is adjusted.
- the printed circuit board 33 is configured to:
- the actuator 30 is arranged in the first configuration when activation of the closed-loop control system 4 is required.
- the actuator 30 is arranged in the second configuration when activation of the open-loop control system 5 is required.
- the support 20 extends along the axis A and is housed coaxially within the rotor 25 .
- the support 20 comprises ( FIGS. 7 to 12 ):
- the body 35 comprises:
- the surfaces 40 , 42 , 41 have a progressively decreasing radial size.
- the surface 40 is circular and the area 32 a is shaped like a crescent protruding from the surface 40 .
- the body 35 further comprises:
- the toothing 50 comprises, in turn, a plurality of teeth 51 angularly equally spaced and protruding cantilevered on the side opposite the axis A.
- the support 20 further comprises ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ):
- the element 37 has a decreasing radial size starting, parallel to the axis A, from the toothing 50 on the side opposite the body 35 .
- the body 54 comprises:
- the rod 55 ends, on the side axially opposite the toothing 50 , with an annular shoulder 57 arranged axially in contact with the crosspiece 63 of the body 54 .
- the rotor 25 is tubular and comprises ( FIGS. 9 to 11 ):
- the segments 70 , 72 are axially open.
- the segment 73 in turn, comprises:
- Each spring 49 is radially interposed between the toothing 50 and the related structure 76 of the rotor 25 ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ).
- Each spring 49 sequentially co-operates with the teeth 51 of the toothing 50 by deforming elastically. Consequently, each spring 49 exerts on the rotor 25 a resistive elastic load proportional to the deformation of the spring 49 .
- the extent of the stroke C1 substantially corresponds to the elastic deformation of the spring 49 and therefore to the radial size of the teeth 51 .
- Each spring 49 essentially comprises:
- each spring 49 is a leaf spring.
- the segment 72 also defines the seats 62 .
- the seats 62 are angularly equally spaced and house respective pins 60 and springs 61 .
- Each pin 60 comprises an annular end 68 and a semi-spherical end 69 axially opposite each other ( FIG. 12 ).
- the ends 68 , 69 are arranged on the side of the body 35 and on the side opposite the body 35 , respectively, relative to an axial direction.
- the pins 60 are hollow and house therein part of the respective springs 61 .
- the springs 61 pass through the respective pins 60 and are each axially interposed between a ring 53 of the rotor 25 fixed to the segment 73 and the end 69 of the pin 60 .
- the body 80 is tubular and defines the profiles 62 .
- the body 80 has a predominantly axial extension.
- the body 80 comprises:
- the ring 83 comprises an edge 86 bent axially towards the walls 82 and radially towards the axis A.
- the walls 82 comprise ( FIG. 14 ) respective radially extending driving teeth 88 extending from the corresponding walls 82 towards the axis A.
- Each profile 62 extends circumferentially for a respective arc around the axis A.
- each profile 62 comprises:
- each profile 62 has respective ends 67 opposite the seat 65 defining respective end-stroke surfaces for the respective pins 61 and consisting of respective circumferential end walls of the respective grooves 81 .
- each profile 62 progressively approach the element 30 , starting from the seat 65 towards the respective ends 67 .
- the pins 60 engage the seats 65 of the respective profiles 62 , when the actuator 30 is arranged in the first configuration.
- the pins 60 can slide on the segments 66 of the respective profiles 62 , when the actuator 30 is arranged in the second configuration.
- the element 80 can rotate integrally with the rotor 25 relative to the support 20 , when the actuator 30 is in the first configuration.
- the element 80 is braked by the actuator 30 in its rotation around the axis A, when the actuator 30 is arranged in the second configuration.
- the extent of the stroke C2 is determined by the extent of the sliding of the pins 60 along the respective profiles 62 until the pins 60 are in contact with one of the ends 67 of the respective profiles 62 .
- the knob 16 also comprises a pair of annular rolling bearings 85 , 87 of axis A, axially spaced from each other and designed to support the rotor 25 in a rotary manner on the support 20 around the axis A ( FIGS. 9 , 10 and 11 ).
- the bearing 85 is axially arranged on the side of the body 35 and the bearing 87 is axially arranged on the side of the body 54 .
- the bearing 85 comprises:
- the bearing 87 in turn, comprises:
- the actuator 30 comprises:
- the ring 94 is supported rotationally around the axis A by the element 37 .
- the ring 94 in turn, comprises a pair of radially open seats 93 engaged by the respective teeth 88 of the body 80 .
- the body 80 is also supported rotationally around the axis A by the element 37 .
- the electromagnet 90 is supplied with a first electric current value or is not supplied electrically. In this way, the actuator 30 substantially exerts no braking torque upon the ring 94 .
- the ring 94 is thus free to rotate integrally with the body 80 , following the rotation of the rotor 25 by the user.
- the electromagnet 90 is supplied with a second electric current value so as to exert a braking torque upon the ring 94 , thereby braking or preventing its rotation around the axis A, following the rotation of the rotor 25 by the user.
- the actuator 28 comprises:
- the lead-screw 102 is housed in a seat 105 delimited radially by the crosspiece 63 of the body 54 and axially by the electromagnet 90 and by a shoulder 106 of the crosspiece 63 ( FIG. 11 ).
- the knob 26 further comprises:
- the printed circuit board 33 is operatively connected to the actuators 28 , 30 and the electric motor 100 .
- the printed circuit board 33 is configured to control the actuation of the actuators 28 , 30 and of the electric motor 100 , based on the commands given by the user in the areas 17 a, 17 b of the surface 15 and in the areas 32 a, 32 b , 32 c, 32 d of the area 31 .
- the printed circuit board 33 is housed in the casing 26 .
- the printed circuit board 33 is bent twice inside the casing 26 to form:
- the stroke C2 is greater than the strokes C1 that are identical to each other.
- the pins 60 and the springs 61 extend along respective axes C parallel to the axis A and are angularly equally spaced around the axis A.
- the knob 16 further comprises an annular guide 110 ( FIGS. 9 to 11 ) radially interposed between the rotor 25 and the casing 26 and designed to allow the rotor 25 to slide axially relative to the casing 26 during the movement of the assembly 27 between the lifted and lowered positions.
- annular guide 110 FIGS. 9 to 11
- control unit 7 is programmed to receive, as an input, the configuration of the actuator 30 and the position of the rotor 25 from the printed circuit board 33 and to generate a command signal for the actuators of the systems 4 , 5 .
- control unit 7 is programmed to control the actuators of the systems 4 to increase (decrease) the temperature and the air flow rate within the respective area 8 , 9 when the actuator 30 of the related knob 16 is in the first configuration and until the sensors of the systems 4 detect that the temperature has reached a value associated with the number of clockwise (anti-clockwise) snaps completed by the rotor 25 .
- the control unit 7 controls the actuators of the systems 5 to increase (decrease) the inflation pressure of the seats 3 when the actuator 30 of the related knob 16 is in the second configuration and a torque is exerted upon the rotor 25 in a clockwise (anti-clockwise) direction.
- the control unit 7 is also programmed to display on the area 31 the temperature values inside the passenger compartment 2 and an image associated with the value of the refreshing/cooling air flow rate generated by the system 4 .
- the area 31 defines a display designed to display parameters that are meaningful for the operation of the systems 4 , 5 .
- the operation of the knob 16 is illustrated below from a condition in which the user intends to adjust the system 4 .
- the assembly 27 is in the lowered position and the actuator 30 is arranged in the first configuration, in which the electromagnet 90 is supplied with the first electric current value or is not supplied electrically. Therefore, the ring 94 is not subjected to any braking torque.
- the user selects the setting of the system 4 by touching the area 17 a of the interface 16 or of the area 32 a of the area 31 .
- the user adjusts the system 4 by exerting a torque upon the rotor 25 via the concavity 71 .
- the user perceives the first tactile sensation formed by a plurality of consecutive snaps having a stroke C1.
- Each of these snaps is caused by the interaction of the springs 49 with a respective pair of teeth 51 of the toothing 50 .
- the pins 60 , the springs 61 , the profiles 62 , and the body 80 rotate as a single body together with the rotor 25 .
- the pins 60 housed in the respective seats 65 drive the body 80 into rotation.
- the body 80 drives the anchor 91 into rotation, through the interaction of the teeth 88 with the respective seats 93 .
- the user selects the setting of the system 5 by touching the area 17 b of the interface 16 or of the area 32 b of the area 31 .
- the printed circuit board 33 supplies the electromagnet 90 with the second electric current value.
- the electromagnet 90 exerts a braking torque upon the ring 94 and, therefore, on the body 80 due to the interaction between the teeth 88 and respective seats 93 , and prevents or at least brakes its rotation around the axis A.
- the torque exerted by the user upon the rotor 25 is therefore counteracted by the aforementioned braking torque and causes the axial compression of the springs 61 and the consequent rise of the pins 60 on the respective profiles 62 .
- the user perceives the second tactile sensation formed by a single snap having a duration C2 greater than the duration C1.
- the printed circuit board 33 activates the electric motor 100 , which drives the screw 101 into rotation around the axis B.
- the rotation of the screw 101 around the axis B only results in the translation of the lead-screw 102 parallel to the axis B relative to the casing 26 . This is because the body 54 fixed to the guide 103 prevents the lead-screw 102 from rotating.
- the translation of the lead-screw 102 causes the corresponding translation of the body 54 and the rod 55 and, therefore, of the entire support 20 parallel to the axis A relative to the casing 26 .
- the printed circuit board 33 stops the electric motor 110 .
- the printed circuit board 33 actuates the electric motor 100 to move the assembly 27 into the lowered position.
- knob 16 The advantages enabled by the knob 16 according to the present invention will be apparent from an examination thereof.
- the actuator 30 when the actuator 30 is arranged in the first configuration following a command given by the user via the areas 17 a, 32 b, 32 c, the rotor 25 rotates around the axis A in relation to the support 20 .
- the springs 49 interact with the teeth 51 in a plurality of mutually consecutive positions, thereby generating the first tactile sensation formed by the respective snaps having the stroke C1.
- the knob 16 thus allows both the closed-loop adjustment system 4 and the open-loop adjustment system 5 to be adjusted with a single body, providing the user with respective tactile sensations which are different from each other.
- the area 31 defines a display which displays to the user in a simple way the different functions of the systems 4 , 5 designed to manage the comfort of the motor vehicle 1 .
- the assembly 27 consisting of the rotor 25 and the support 20 can selectively slide parallel to the axis A between the lowered position, where it is “level” with the surface 15 of the interface 6 so as not to change the design of the passenger compartment 2 , and the lifted position, where the areas 17 a, 17 b, 32 a, 32 b are easily accessible to the user.
- the printed circuit board 33 is bent twice inside the casing 26 , so as to further reduce the encumbrance of the knob 16 .
- the printed circuit board 33 also incorporates the elements 111 , 112 , thus resulting particularly reliable due to the lack of interconnections between separate printed circuit boards.
Abstract
A control knob for a motor vehicle is described, the former comprising a rotor that can rotate around an axis; a fixed body; a member; and an actuator selectively movable between a first configuration, in which it allows said rotor and said member to rotate relative to the body around the axis, and a second configuration, in which it exerts a braking torque upon the member; a first element and a second element interacting with one another, in a snapping manner, in a plurality of consecutive positions, when the actuator is arranged in the first configuration, so as to provide a first touch-related feedback; the knob comprises a third element, a profile extending crosswise to the third element; and a fourth elastic element connecting the third element and the profile to said rotor; the third element, the fourth elastic element and the profile can rotate together with the rotor and the member in an integral manner, when the actuator is arranged in the first configuration; the third element slides on the profile to provide a single second touch-related feedback, when the actuator is arranged in said second configuration.
Description
- This patent application claims priority from Italian Patent Application no. 102022000007877 filed on Apr. 21, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to a control knob for a motor vehicle.
- As is known, motor vehicles comprise:
-
- a plurality of on-board systems which can be adjusted by the user and are designed to control the comfort within a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle itself; and
- one or more control knobs for operating and adjusting the above systems.
- Typical examples of said systems are a control system of an air conditioning system for adjusting the cooling air flow rate and the temperature in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, or a system for adjusting the inflation pressure of the motor vehicle seats.
- As is known, the above systems can be systems that can be adjusted according to a closed-loop control logic, such as for example the above-mentioned air conditioning system.
- In this case, the system comprises an actuator controlled by the knob and a sensor that detects that the desired condition has been reached and controls the actuator in feedback.
- Alternatively, as is known, the above systems can be adjustable according to an open-loop control logic, such as for example the above-mentioned inflation system.
- In this case, the system is sensorless and the actuator is controlled by the knob without any feedback.
- Control knobs are known which substantially comprise a fixed support in relation to the passenger compartment and a rotor that can rotate around the fixed support so as to assume a plurality of angular positions corresponding to respective adjustment positions of the system.
- These well-known knobs control a single system that can be adjusted according to a closed-loop control logic or according to an open-loop control logic.
- There is a need in the field to be able to control both systems that can be adjusted according to a closed-loop control logic and systems that can be adjusted according to an open-loop control logic with a single knob, so as to reduce overall dimensions and facilitate the adjustment of the aforementioned systems, thereby reducing the risk of user distraction. This is in order to simplify comfort control within the passenger compartment.
- There is also a need in the field to adjust these systems in a precise way, providing the user with different touch-related feedbacks that are immediately distinguishable by the user.
- JP-B-4709081 describes a well-known control knob for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of
claim 1. - The object of the present invention is to provide a control knob for a motor vehicle, which allows at least one of the above-mentioned requirements to be met.
- Said object is achieved by the present invention, insofar as it relates to a control knob for a motor vehicle as defined in
claim 1. - For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a control knob made according to the present invention in an extracted position; -
FIG. 2 is a top view of the knob inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a top view of a control interface of the motor vehicle comprising the knob inFIGS. 1 and 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a top view of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, within which the interface inFIG. 3 is installed; -
FIGS. 5 and 6 are front views of the knob inFIGS. 1 to 4 , in the retracted position ofFIG. 4 and in the extracted position ofFIG. 3 , respectively; -
FIG. 7 is a further enlarged scale section along the line VII-VII ofFIG. 1 showing first components of the knob inFIGS. 1 to 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first components inFIG. 7 , with parts removed for clarity; -
FIG. 9 is a section along the line IX-IX ofFIG. 2 showing second components of the knob inFIGS. 1 to 8 ; -
FIG. 10 is a section along the line X-X inFIG. 2 ; and -
FIG. 11 is a section along the line XI-XI inFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 12 is a particularly enlarged view of some details inFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the control knob inFIGS. 1 to 12 on a greatly enlarged scale, with parts removed for clarity; -
FIG. 14 is a section along the line XIV-XIV inFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 15 is a functional diagram of further components of the motor vehicle inFIG. 4 . - With reference to
FIG. 4 , thenumeral 1 indicates a motor vehicle only showing apassenger compartment 2 and a plurality ofseats 3 in thepassenger compartment 2. - It should be noted that in the remainder of the present description, terms such as “above”, “below”, “front”, “rear” and the like are used with reference to the condition of normal forward movement of the
motor vehicle 1. - The
motor vehicle 1 comprises, in particular: -
- a
front area 8 accommodating a pair offront seats 3; and - a
rear area 9 accommodating a pair ofrear seats 3.
- a
- The
motor vehicle 1 further comprises (FIG. 15 ): -
- a plurality of on-
board systems motor vehicle 1; - a plurality of
control interfaces 6 of theaforementioned systems - a
control unit 7 programmed to control thesystems interfaces 6.
- a plurality of on-
- Non-limiting examples of the
systems air conditioning system 4 designed to adjust the temperature inside thepassenger compartment 2 and asystem 5 designed to adjust the inflation pressure of theseats 3. - Further examples of the
systems seats 3, a system for activating an electro-chromic roof, or a system for controlling the massage function of theseats 3. - In the case illustrated herein, the
motor vehicle 1, for eacharea -
- a
related system 4; - a
related system 5; and - a
related interface 6.
- a
- In the remainder of the present description, only one
system 4, onesystem 5 and oneinterface 6 are described, thesystems interfaces 6 being identical to each other. - In the case illustrated herein, the
system 4 is a closed-loop control system, i.e., as is known, it comprises: -
- an actuator (not shown) controlled by the
interface 6; and - a sensor (also not shown) designed to detect the temperature and/or humidity and/or air flow rate supplied by the
system 4 into thepassenger compartment 2 and to control the actuator in feedback mode so that the actuator is stopped when the temperature and/or humidity values set by theinterface 6 are reached.
- an actuator (not shown) controlled by the
- In the case illustrated herein, the
system 5 is an open-loop control system, i.e., as is known, it comprises a second actuator controlled by theinterface 6 and not controlled in feedback mode. - The
interface 6, in turn, comprises (FIG. 3 ): -
- a
surface 15 defining a plurality ofcontrol areas respective systems - a
knob 16.
- a
- In greater detail, the
knob 16 comprises: -
- a
support 20 fixed to a fixed structure of thepassenger compartment 2; and - a
rotor 25 supported by thesupport 20, which can be grabbed by the user and is designed to receive a command to rotate around an axis A.
- a
- Advantageously, the
knob 16, in turn, comprises: -
- a
body 80 mounted in a movable way in relation to thesupport 20 and therotor 25; - an
actuator 30 selectively movable between a first configuration, in which it allows thebody 80 and therotor 25 to rotate around the axis A, and a second configuration, in which it exerts a braking torque upon thebody 80, so as to allow a relative rotation between therotor 25 and thebody 80; - a pair of
springs 49 interposed between therotor 25 and thesupport 20; and - a
toothing 50 carried by thesupport 20;
- a
- the
springs 49 and thetoothing 50 sequentially interact with one another, in a snapping manner, in a plurality of consecutive positions, when theactuator 30 is arranged in said first configuration, so as to provide said user with a first touch-related feedback formed by a sequence of snaps, each having a first stroke C1; - the
knob 16 further comprises: -
- a plurality of
pins 60 andrespective profiles 62 transversal to the corresponding pins 60; and - a plurality of
springs 61, each designed to elastically connect arespective pin 60 and therotor 25;
- a plurality of
- the
pins 60 and therespective springs 61 andprofiles 62 can rotate around the axis A integrally with each other and with therotor 25 and thebody 80, when theactuator 30 is arranged in the first configuration; - the
pins 60 can slide on therespective profiles 62 so as to provide the user with a single touch-related feedback of the continuous type and according to a stroke C2, when theactuator 30 is arranged in the second configuration. - The
knob 16 further comprises: -
- a
casing 26 fixed to the structure of themotor vehicle 1 and in relation to which anassembly 27 consisting of therotor 25 and thesupport 20 is mounted in a sliding manner relative to the axis A; and - an
actuator 28 selectively operable to allow theassembly 27 to move along the axis A in relation to thecasing 26.
- a
- In greater detail, the
assembly 27 can slide in relation to thecasing 26 between: -
- a lifted operative position (
FIGS. 1 and 6 ) in which it protrudes axially from thesurface 15; and - a lowered rest position (
FIG. 5 ) in which anarea 31 is just above the level of thesurface 15.
- a lifted operative position (
- The
knob 16 further comprises (FIGS. 9 to 11 ): -
- the
area 31 with acontrol area 32 a which can be activated by touch to activate the sliding of theassembly 27 from the lifted position to the lowered position, and vice versa; a pair ofareas system 4; and anarea 32 d which can be activated by touch to control thesystem 5; and - a printed
circuit board 33 operatively connected to thecontrol unit 7.
- the
- In greater detail and with reference to
FIG. 3 , the activation of thearea 32 b opens amenu 10 that allows the temperature within thearea - The activation of the
area 32 c opens amenu 11 that allows the heating/cooling air flow rate within thearea - The activation of the
area 32 d opens amenu 12 that allows the selection of different regions (top, middle, bottom) of theseat 3 whose inflation pressure is adjusted. - The printed
circuit board 33 is configured to: -
- move the
knob 16 from the lowered position to the activated position, and vice versa, following the activation of thearea 32 a; and - arrange the
actuator 30 in the first configuration when one of theareas areas
- move the
- In this way, the
actuator 30 is arranged in the first configuration when activation of the closed-loop control system 4 is required. Theactuator 30 is arranged in the second configuration when activation of the open-loop control system 5 is required. - The
support 20 extends along the axis A and is housed coaxially within therotor 25. - In greater detail, the
support 20 comprises (FIGS. 7 to 12 ): -
- a
body 35 defining thearea 31; - the
toothing 50 integrally connected to thebody 35 around the axis A by means of a pin; and - a cup-shaped
tubular element 37.
- a
- The
body 35, in turn, comprises: -
- an
axial end surface 40 protruding axially from therotor 25, lying in a plane orthogonal to the axis A, and defining thearea 31; - a
surface 41 axially opposite thesurface 40, annular and lying in a plane orthogonal to the axis A; and - a
lateral surface 42 extending between thesurfaces rotor 25.
- an
- The
surfaces - In particular, the
surface 40 is circular and thearea 32 a is shaped like a crescent protruding from thesurface 40. - The
body 35 further comprises: -
- a
ring 45 lying in a plane orthogonal to the axis A and axially spaced from thesurface 42; and - a pair of
appendages 46 protruding cantilevered parallel to the axis A from thesurface 42 and extending up to thering 45.
- a
- The
toothing 50 comprises, in turn, a plurality ofteeth 51 angularly equally spaced and protruding cantilevered on the side opposite the axis A. - The
support 20 further comprises (FIGS. 10 and 11 ): -
- a
rod 49 fixed to thetoothing 50 and to thebody 35 so as to connect them to each other; - a
body 54 arranged on the axially opposite side of theelement 37 relative to thebody 35 and eccentric to the axis A; and - a
rod 55 which is coaxial with the axis A and ends with agrooved profile 56 engaging aseat 52 of thetoothing 50 and passing through theelement 37 with clearance.
- a
- The
element 37 has a decreasing radial size starting, parallel to the axis A, from thetoothing 50 on the side opposite thebody 35. - With particular reference to
FIGS. 10 and 11 , thebody 54, in turn, comprises: -
- a
crosspiece 63 lying in a plane orthogonal to the axis A and extending eccentrically to the axis A; and - a
crosspiece 64 protruding cantilevered from a radial end of thecrosspiece 63 in the axial direction and on the side axially opposite thebody 35, and lying in a plane orthogonal to the plane in which thecrosspiece 64 lies eccentrically to the axis A.
- a
- With reference to
FIG. 11 , therod 55 ends, on the side axially opposite thetoothing 50, with anannular shoulder 57 arranged axially in contact with thecrosspiece 63 of thebody 54. - The
rotor 25, in turn, is tubular and comprises (FIGS. 9 to 11 ): -
- an
axial end segment 70 housing thebody 35; - an
axial end segment 72 axially opposite to thesegment 70; and - a
segment 73 axially interposed between thesegments toothing 50 and defining a knurledannular concavity 71 to facilitate the user's grip.
- an
- The
segments - With reference to
FIGS. 7 and 8 , thesegment 73, in turn, comprises: -
- a radially external
annular wall 74 contiguous with thesegments - a pair of arc-shaped
walls 75 radially interposed at a distance between thewall 74 and thetoothing 50; and - a pair of
structures 76 radially interposed between thewall 74 and thewalls 75, each defining a pair ofseats 77 for fixingrespective springs 49.
- a radially external
- Each
spring 49 is radially interposed between thetoothing 50 and therelated structure 76 of the rotor 25 (FIGS. 7 and 8 ). - Each
spring 49 sequentially co-operates with theteeth 51 of thetoothing 50 by deforming elastically. Consequently, eachspring 49 exerts on the rotor 25 a resistive elastic load proportional to the deformation of thespring 49. - The extent of the stroke C1 substantially corresponds to the elastic deformation of the
spring 49 and therefore to the radial size of theteeth 51. - In the case illustrated herein, there are two
springs 49 arranged symmetrically relative to the axis A. - Each
spring 49 essentially comprises: -
- a pair of
segments 47 fixed at their free opposite ends 48 torespective seats 77; and - a pair of
segments 58 converging into avertex 59 sequentially cooperating with theteeth 51 and bent starting from thesegments 47 towards thevertex 59.
- a pair of
- In the case illustrated herein, each
spring 49 is a leaf spring. - With reference to
FIGS. 9 and 12 , thesegment 72 also defines theseats 62. - In particular, the
seats 62 are angularly equally spaced and houserespective pins 60 and springs 61. - In the case illustrated herein, there are two
pins 60, twosprings 61, and twoseats 62. - Each
pin 60, in turn, comprises anannular end 68 and asemi-spherical end 69 axially opposite each other (FIG. 12 ). - The ends 68, 69 are arranged on the side of the
body 35 and on the side opposite thebody 35, respectively, relative to an axial direction. - The
pins 60 are hollow and house therein part of the respective springs 61. - The
springs 61 pass through therespective pins 60 and are each axially interposed between aring 53 of therotor 25 fixed to thesegment 73 and theend 69 of thepin 60. - With reference to
FIGS. 9 to 11, 13 and 14 , thebody 80 is tubular and defines theprofiles 62. - In greater detail, the
body 80 has a predominantly axial extension. - The
body 80, in turn, comprises: -
- a pair of
circumferential grooves 81 definingrespective profiles 62, which are axially open on the side of thebody 35 and axially closed on the side opposite the body 35 (FIG. 13 ); - a pair of
walls 82 shaped as equally sized arcs symmetrically arranged around the axis A and defining an axial end of thebody 80 axially opposite the body 35 (FIG. 14 ); and - a
ring 83 defining an axial end of thebody 80 opposite the walls 82 (FIG. 15 ).
- a pair of
- In particular, the
ring 83 comprises anedge 86 bent axially towards thewalls 82 and radially towards the axis A. - The
walls 82 comprise (FIG. 14 ) respective radially extending drivingteeth 88 extending from the correspondingwalls 82 towards the axis A. - Each
profile 62 extends circumferentially for a respective arc around the axis A. - With particular reference to
FIGS. 12 and 13 , eachprofile 62, in turn, comprises: -
- a
respective seat 65; and - a pair of
respective segments 66 symmetrically converging into theseat 65 and extending on respective mutually opposite sides relative to theseat 65 in a direction circumferential to theseat 65.
- a
- More specifically, the
segments 66 of eachprofile 62 have respective ends 67 opposite theseat 65 defining respective end-stroke surfaces for therespective pins 61 and consisting of respective circumferential end walls of therespective grooves 81. - The
segments 66 of eachprofile 62 progressively approach theelement 30, starting from theseat 65 towards the respective ends 67. - The
pins 60 engage theseats 65 of therespective profiles 62, when theactuator 30 is arranged in the first configuration. - The
pins 60 can slide on thesegments 66 of therespective profiles 62, when theactuator 30 is arranged in the second configuration. - The
element 80 can rotate integrally with therotor 25 relative to thesupport 20, when theactuator 30 is in the first configuration. - Consequently, the torque exerted by the user upon the
rotor 25 causes thepins 60 and thesprings 61 to rotate integrally with therotor 25 and thebody 80 relative to the axis A. - Otherwise, the
element 80 is braked by theactuator 30 in its rotation around the axis A, when theactuator 30 is arranged in the second configuration. - Consequently, the torque exerted by the user upon the
rotor 25, due to the compression of thesprings 61, causes thepins 60 to slide along the respective profiles 62. - The extent of the stroke C2 is determined by the extent of the sliding of the
pins 60 along therespective profiles 62 until thepins 60 are in contact with one of theends 67 of the respective profiles 62. - The
knob 16 also comprises a pair ofannular rolling bearings rotor 25 in a rotary manner on thesupport 20 around the axis A (FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 ). - In greater detail, the
bearing 85 is axially arranged on the side of thebody 35 and thebearing 87 is axially arranged on the side of thebody 54. - The
bearing 85, in turn, comprises: -
- a radially inner ring fixed to the
element 37 and thetoothing 50 of thesupport 20, and axially locked between thetoothing 50 and atube 89; and - a radially outer ring fixed to the
segment 73 of therotor 25, axially interposed between a pair ofannular shoulders 91 defined by thesegment 73, and rotatable relative to the radially inner ring.
- a radially inner ring fixed to the
- The
bearing 87, in turn, comprises: -
- an inner ring fixed to the
element 37 of thesupport 20 and axially cooperating with thetube 89; and - an outer ring axially cooperating with the
edge 86 of thebody 80 through the interposition of a circlip 92 (FIG. 9 ), and rotatable relative to the radially inner ring.
- an inner ring fixed to the
- The
actuator 30, in turn, comprises: -
- an
electromagnet 90 that can be selectively supplied with a variable electric current to generate a magnetic field; and - a
ring 94 made of conductive material axially superimposed on theelectromagnet 90, coaxial with the axis A, and selectively immersed in the magnetic field generated by theelectromagnet 90.
- an
- With particular reference to
FIG. 14 , thering 94 is supported rotationally around the axis A by theelement 37. - The
ring 94, in turn, comprises a pair of radiallyopen seats 93 engaged by therespective teeth 88 of thebody 80. - Therefore, the
body 80 is also supported rotationally around the axis A by theelement 37. - In greater detail, in the first configuration of the
actuator 30, theelectromagnet 90 is supplied with a first electric current value or is not supplied electrically. In this way, theactuator 30 substantially exerts no braking torque upon thering 94. Thering 94 is thus free to rotate integrally with thebody 80, following the rotation of therotor 25 by the user. - In the second configuration of the
actuator 30, theelectromagnet 90 is supplied with a second electric current value so as to exert a braking torque upon thering 94, thereby braking or preventing its rotation around the axis A, following the rotation of therotor 25 by the user. - The presence of the
teeth 88 engaging theseats 93 allows this braking torque to be also transmitted to thebody 80. - With reference to
FIGS. 9 to 11 , theactuator 28, in turn, comprises: -
- an
electric motor 100 fixed to thecasing 26; - a
screw 101 driven into rotation by theelectric motor 100 around its own axis B, which is parallel and offset relative to the axis A; and - a lead-
screw 102 screwed onto thescrew 101 and capable of sliding integrally with thesupport 20 and therotor 25 parallel to the axis A.
- an
- In greater detail, the lead-
screw 102 is housed in aseat 105 delimited radially by thecrosspiece 63 of thebody 54 and axially by theelectromagnet 90 and by ashoulder 106 of the crosspiece 63 (FIG. 11 ). - The
knob 26 further comprises: -
- a
guide 107 which is fixed relative to the axis A and eccentric relative to the axis A; and - a
slide 103 that can slide on theguide 107, which is also eccentric relative to the axis A and fixed to thesegment 64 of thebody 54, so as to prevent the lead-screw 102 and thebody 54 from rotating around the axis B.
- a
- The printed
circuit board 33 is operatively connected to theactuators electric motor 100. - The printed
circuit board 33 is configured to control the actuation of theactuators electric motor 100, based on the commands given by the user in theareas surface 15 and in theareas area 31. - In greater detail, the printed
circuit board 33 is housed in thecasing 26. - The printed
circuit board 33 is bent twice inside thecasing 26 to form: -
- a pair of mutually
parallel elements 111 lying in respective planes orthogonal to the axis A and superimposed at a distance along the axis A; and - an
element 112 lying in a plane parallel to the axis A and arranged orthogonally to theelements 111.
- a pair of mutually
- In greater detail, the stroke C2 is greater than the strokes C1 that are identical to each other.
- The
pins 60 and thesprings 61 extend along respective axes C parallel to the axis A and are angularly equally spaced around the axis A. - The
knob 16 further comprises an annular guide 110 (FIGS. 9 to 11 ) radially interposed between therotor 25 and thecasing 26 and designed to allow therotor 25 to slide axially relative to thecasing 26 during the movement of theassembly 27 between the lifted and lowered positions. - With reference to
FIG. 15 , thecontrol unit 7 is programmed to receive, as an input, the configuration of theactuator 30 and the position of therotor 25 from the printedcircuit board 33 and to generate a command signal for the actuators of thesystems - In particular, the
control unit 7 is programmed to control the actuators of thesystems 4 to increase (decrease) the temperature and the air flow rate within therespective area actuator 30 of therelated knob 16 is in the first configuration and until the sensors of thesystems 4 detect that the temperature has reached a value associated with the number of clockwise (anti-clockwise) snaps completed by therotor 25. - The
control unit 7 controls the actuators of thesystems 5 to increase (decrease) the inflation pressure of theseats 3 when theactuator 30 of therelated knob 16 is in the second configuration and a torque is exerted upon therotor 25 in a clockwise (anti-clockwise) direction. - The
control unit 7 is also programmed to display on thearea 31 the temperature values inside thepassenger compartment 2 and an image associated with the value of the refreshing/cooling air flow rate generated by thesystem 4. - In other words, the
area 31 defines a display designed to display parameters that are meaningful for the operation of thesystems - The operation of the
knob 16 is illustrated below from a condition in which the user intends to adjust thesystem 4. - In this condition, the
assembly 27 is in the lowered position and theactuator 30 is arranged in the first configuration, in which theelectromagnet 90 is supplied with the first electric current value or is not supplied electrically. Therefore, thering 94 is not subjected to any braking torque. - The user selects the setting of the
system 4 by touching thearea 17 a of theinterface 16 or of thearea 32 a of thearea 31. - At this point, the user adjusts the
system 4 by exerting a torque upon therotor 25 via theconcavity 71. - The rotation of the
rotor 25 in relation to thesupport 20 around the axis A causes the sequential interaction of thesprings 49 with theteeth 51 of thetoothing 50. - During this sequential interaction, the user perceives the first tactile sensation formed by a plurality of consecutive snaps having a stroke C1. Each of these snaps is caused by the interaction of the
springs 49 with a respective pair ofteeth 51 of thetoothing 50. - Importantly, during the rotation of the
rotor 25 in relation to thesupport 20, thepins 60, thesprings 61, theprofiles 62, and thebody 80 rotate as a single body together with therotor 25. - In particular, the
pins 60 housed in therespective seats 65 drive thebody 80 into rotation. - The
body 80 drives theanchor 91 into rotation, through the interaction of theteeth 88 with therespective seats 93. - The user stops acting on the
rotor 25 once the desired setting position of thesystem 4 is reached. - The user selects the setting of the
system 5 by touching thearea 17 b of theinterface 16 or of thearea 32 b of thearea 31. - As a result of this action, the printed
circuit board 33 supplies theelectromagnet 90 with the second electric current value. - Consequently, the
electromagnet 90 exerts a braking torque upon thering 94 and, therefore, on thebody 80 due to the interaction between theteeth 88 andrespective seats 93, and prevents or at least brakes its rotation around the axis A. - The torque exerted by the user upon the
rotor 25 is therefore counteracted by the aforementioned braking torque and causes the axial compression of thesprings 61 and the consequent rise of thepins 60 on the respective profiles 62. - Consequently, the user perceives the second tactile sensation formed by a single snap having a duration C2 greater than the duration C1.
- In the event that the user touches the
area 32 a, the printedcircuit board 33 activates theelectric motor 100, which drives thescrew 101 into rotation around the axis B. The rotation of thescrew 101 around the axis B only results in the translation of the lead-screw 102 parallel to the axis B relative to thecasing 26. This is because thebody 54 fixed to theguide 103 prevents the lead-screw 102 from rotating. - The translation of the lead-
screw 102, in turn, causes the corresponding translation of thebody 54 and therod 55 and, therefore, of theentire support 20 parallel to the axis A relative to thecasing 26. - This translation of the
support 20 results in a corresponding translation: -
- of the
bearing 85 and, therefore, of therotor 25 itself; and - of the
bearing 87 and, therefore, of thebody 80.
- of the
- Once the
assembly 27 has reached the fully lifted position, the printedcircuit board 33 stops theelectric motor 110. - In the event that the user touches the
area 32 a again, the printedcircuit board 33 actuates theelectric motor 100 to move theassembly 27 into the lowered position. - The advantages enabled by the
knob 16 according to the present invention will be apparent from an examination thereof. - In greater detail, when the
actuator 30 is arranged in the first configuration following a command given by the user via theareas rotor 25 rotates around the axis A in relation to thesupport 20. In this way, thesprings 49 interact with theteeth 51 in a plurality of mutually consecutive positions, thereby generating the first tactile sensation formed by the respective snaps having the stroke C1. - Otherwise, when the
actuator 30 is arranged in the second configuration following a command given by the user via theareas body 80 is braked by thering 94 of theelectromagnet 90. Consequently, the torque exerted by the user upon therotor 25 causes the compression of thesprings 61 and the sliding of thepins 60 on the respective profiles 62. This creates the second tactile sensation with a single snap having a stroke C2. - The
knob 16 thus allows both the closed-loop adjustment system 4 and the open-loop adjustment system 5 to be adjusted with a single body, providing the user with respective tactile sensations which are different from each other. - This reduces the overall size of the
knob 16 and the impact on the layout of thepassenger compartment 1, while reducing the risk of distraction for the user due to the different tactile sensations generated by theknob 16. - The
area 31 defines a display which displays to the user in a simple way the different functions of thesystems motor vehicle 1. - The
assembly 27 consisting of therotor 25 and thesupport 20 can selectively slide parallel to the axis A between the lowered position, where it is “level” with thesurface 15 of theinterface 6 so as not to change the design of thepassenger compartment 2, and the lifted position, where theareas - The printed
circuit board 33 is bent twice inside thecasing 26, so as to further reduce the encumbrance of theknob 16. - The printed
circuit board 33 also incorporates theelements - Lastly, it is clear that modifications and variations may be made to the
knob 16 manufactured according to the present invention, without however departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims.
Claims (11)
1. A control knob (16) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising:
a rotor (25), which can be grabbed by a user and is designed to receive a command to rotate around an axis (A); and
a support body (20) fixed relative to said axis (A) and designed to support said rotor (25) in a rotary manner around said axis (A);
characterized by comprising:
a member (80) interacting with said rotor (25) and supported by said support body (20) in a rotary manner around said axis (A);
an actuator (30) selectively movable between a first configuration, in which it allows said member (80) and said rotor (25) to rotate in an integral manner relative to said support body (20) around said axis (A), and a second configuration, in which it exerts, in use, a braking torque upon said member (80), so as to allow a relative rotation between said rotor (25) and said member (80);
a first element (49) coupled to one (25) of said rotor and support body (25, 20); and
a second element (50, 51) carried by or coupled to the other one (20) of said rotor and support body (25, 20);
said first element (49) and second element (50, 51) sequentially interacting with one another, in a snapping manner, in a plurality of consecutive positions, when said actuator (30) is arranged in said first configuration, so as to provide said user with a first touch-related feedback formed by a sequence of snaps, each having a first stroke (C1);
said knob (16) further comprising:
at least one third element (60);
at least one profile (62) carried by said member (80) and extending crosswise to said third element (60); and
at least one fourth elastic element (61) designed to elastically connect at least one (60) of said third element and said profile (60, 62) to said rotor (25);
said third element, said fourth elastic element and said profile (60, 61, 62) being capable of rotating around said axis (A) together with one another in an integral manner and together with said rotor (25) and with said member (80) in an integral manner, when said first actuator (30) is arranged in said first configuration;
said third element (60) being capable of sliding on said profile (62) so as to provide said user with one single second touch-related feedback of the continuous type and having a second stroke (C2), when said first actuator (30) is arranged in said second configuration.
2. The knob according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that said second stroke (C2) is greater than said first stroke (C1).
3. The knob according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that said first element (49) is a spring (49) and said second element (50, 51) is a toothing (50) with a plurality of teeth (51) sequentially interacting with said spring (49);
said spring (49) being interposed between said rotor (25) and said toothing (50).
4. The knob according to claim 3 , characterized by the fact that said spring is a leaf spring having a length transversal to said axis (A) and lying in a plane parallel to said axis (A);
said toothing (50) comprising at least a plurality of teeth (51) angularly equally spaced apart around said axis (A).
5. The knob according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that:
said third element (60) is a pin elongated along said axis (A);
said fourth elastic element (61) is interposed between said third element (60) and a first ring (45) carried by said rotor (25);
said profile (62) extending circumferentially to said axis (A);
said profile (62) comprising, in turn:
a seat (65); and
a pair of segments (66) converging towards said seat (65) and extending from respective opposite sides of said seat (65) circumferentially to said axis (A) and at progressively decreasing distances from said first ring (45), starting from said seat (65) towards respective free ends (67) of said segments (66);
said pin (60) engaging said seat (62), when said first actuator (30) is arranged in said first configuration;
said pin (60) being capable of sliding on one of said segments (66) of the respective profile (62), when said first actuator (30) is arranged in said second configuration.
6. The knob according to claim 5 , characterized by the fact that said first actuator (30) comprises:
an electromagnet (90), which is carried by said support body (20) and can selectively be supplied with a first electric current value in said first configuration of said actuator (30) or with a second electric current value, which is greater than said first value, in said second configuration of said actuator (30) so as to generate a magnetic field; and
a second ring (94) carried by said support body (20) in a rotary manner around said axis (A) and integral, in its rotation, with said member (80) around said axis (A);
said second ring (94) being free, in its rotation, around said axis (A), when said first actuator (30) is arranged in said first configuration;
said second ring (94) being immersed, in use, in said magnetic field and subjected to said braking torque, when said first actuator (30) is arranged in said second configuration.
7. The knob according to claim 6 , characterized by the fact that said member (80) is tubular and comprises:
a pair of circumferential grooves (81) defining respective profiles (62);
a second ring (82),
one (82) of said first ring (94) and second ring (82) carrying at least one tooth (88) engaging a corresponding seat (93) carried by the other one (94) of said first ring (94) and second ring (82);
said grooves (81) being axially open on the side axially opposite said second ring (82).
8. The knob according to claim 1 , characterized by comprising a casing (26), and by the fact that said rotor (25) and said body (20) form an assembly (27), which can slide relative to said casing (26) parallel to said axis (A); said knob (16) comprising a second actuator (100), which can selectively be operated in order to move said assembly (27) parallel to said axis (A) relative to said casing (26) between:
an extracted position, in which said assembly (27) is arranged at a first distance from said casing (26) along said axis (A); and
a retracted position, in which said assembly (27) is arranged at a second distance, which is smaller than said first distance, from said casing (26) along said axis (A).
9. The knob according to claim 8 , characterized by comprising:
a surface (31) carried by said body (20) and designed to receive a first command or a second command or a third command in the form of a touch-related impulse; and
a printed circuit board (33) bent twice inside said casing (26);
said printed circuit board (33) being configured to receive, as an input, said first or second command;
said printed circuit board (33) being further programmed to place said first actuator (30) in said first configuration following said first command and to place said first actuator (30) in said second configuration following said second command;
said printed circuit board (33) being further programmed to place said assembly (27) in said extracted position following said third command.
10. A motor vehicle comprising:
a first system (4) adjustable in a plurality of positions according to a closed-loop control logic;
a second system (5) adjustable according to an open-loop control logic;
a knob (16) according to claim 1 and designed to adjust said first system (4) and said second system (5) and to receive, as an input, said first command defining a first adjustment of said first system (4) and said second command defining a second adjustment of said second system (5); and
a control unit (7) programmed to receive, as an input, said first or second signal and to place said first actuator (30) in the first configuration, when it receives, as an input, said first signal, and to place said actuator (30) in said second configuration, when it receives, as an input, said second signal.
11. The motor vehicle according to claim 10 , characterized by the fact that said surface (31) defines a display designed to display parameters that are meaningful for the operation of said first or second system (4, 5).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102022000007877A IT202200007877A1 (en) | 2022-04-21 | 2022-04-21 | CONTROL KNOB FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE |
IT102022000007877 | 2022-04-21 |
Publications (1)
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US20230339325A1 true US20230339325A1 (en) | 2023-10-26 |
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US18/302,047 Pending US20230339325A1 (en) | 2022-04-21 | 2023-04-18 | Control knob for a motor vehicle |
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US (1) | US20230339325A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP4266145A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2023160774A (en) |
CN (1) | CN116931649A (en) |
IT (1) | IT202200007877A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US4038508A (en) * | 1975-05-22 | 1977-07-26 | General Electric Company | Electrical switch method operating such and indexing system |
EP1961025B1 (en) * | 2005-07-19 | 2016-03-30 | Preh GmbH | Control button comprising integrated functionality |
JP4709081B2 (en) * | 2005-07-27 | 2011-06-22 | 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 | Switch device |
WO2008129974A1 (en) * | 2007-04-13 | 2008-10-30 | Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. | Operation device and operation system |
DE102007032395A1 (en) * | 2007-07-10 | 2009-01-15 | Preh Gmbh | Turntable with changeable locking profile |
JP5626591B2 (en) * | 2011-04-14 | 2014-11-19 | アルプス電気株式会社 | Input device |
JP6793314B2 (en) * | 2017-02-21 | 2020-12-02 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Input device |
KR102582991B1 (en) * | 2018-09-27 | 2023-09-26 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Input apparatus for vehicle |
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2022
- 2022-04-21 IT IT102022000007877A patent/IT202200007877A1/en unknown
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2023
- 2023-04-18 EP EP23168432.5A patent/EP4266145A1/en active Pending
- 2023-04-18 JP JP2023067584A patent/JP2023160774A/en active Pending
- 2023-04-18 US US18/302,047 patent/US20230339325A1/en active Pending
- 2023-04-21 CN CN202310436737.7A patent/CN116931649A/en active Pending
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JP2023160774A (en) | 2023-11-02 |
EP4266145A1 (en) | 2023-10-25 |
CN116931649A (en) | 2023-10-24 |
IT202200007877A1 (en) | 2023-10-21 |
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